The delivery of much-needed new homes in the capital could be boosted by giving the London mayor a bigger role in the negotiation process for section 106 obligations, according to Boris Johnson’s chief of staff.
Writing in this week’s Estates Gazette, Sir Edward Lister, deputy mayor for policy and planning, likens the mayor’s role in housing to a groundsman for a Premier League football team: “He prepares the pitch so it is in pristine condition for the players on match day”.
“The mayor has a track record for delivering planning consents in a timely and efficient manner,” Sir Edward writes, “and believes that the system could be amended to give developers the option of having an s106 obligation for major schemes determined by the mayor if a 16-week period has elapsed since the local planning authority resolved to grant permission.”
